To control numerous brushfires across the country

Brushfires have been sparking all across the country; the Fire Department says it is caused by the dry spell. While there is nothing unusual about the “bushfires” residents of Lord’s Bank had a close call on Sunday when a fire spread dangerously close to many houses. The smoke billowed across the area as firefighters battled to contain the blaze. News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

The spontaneous combustion of undergrowth, tiny, dry scrubs beneath tall trees along the Phillip Goldson Highway, is an annual occurrence.  Brushfires during this time of year are a common sight across the country.

Benisford Matura, Operations Officer, National Fire Service

“We are at the peak of our dry season right now and mostly in Ladyville, Lord’s Bank, Hattieville where there is that pine ridge it’s very dry and we are experiencing a lot of bushfires.”

On Sunday afternoon, a team of firemen attached to the Ladyville substation of the National Fire Service was dispatched into a marshy area in Lord’s Bank, where very high flames imperiled several homes.

Lloyd Jones, Lord’s Bank Resident

“There was a huge bushfire in a swamp that adjoins what is called the B.D.F. Housing Site in Lord’s Bank and it was so fierce that it actually threatened a number of houses that ring that swamp.  And so, we had to call in for the fire service to come and assist.”

The small party responded to the scene promptly and, with help from residents, was able to bring the fire under control despite its massive coverage.  According to one homeowner, the experience is nothing new.  The blaze, says Operations Officer Benisford Matura, resulted from the destruction of waste.

Benisford Matura

“They were burning their usual, burning their garbage or their rubbish and the fire did get away from them and ended up in the forest, you would say, and it went deeper where there is more vegetation and we indeed had a very large bushfire turnout.”

At the time of that incident a second report of wildfire in Santana Village was registered.  The unit, however, was already stretched to capacity.

Benisford Matura

“There was a fire that gutted, I think, one home and so there were some complaints that the fire service did not respond but during the time that the caller was referring to, the fire service, the fire truck was actually in Lord’s Bank trying to avoid precisely what happened in that village.”

Isani Cayetano

“The firemen were dispatched to that particular area, however, there was another fire in Santana.  Can you talk to us about the response or the lack thereof with regards to the secondary flame?”

Benisford Matura

“Yes.  While finishing up on that same bushfire in Lord’s Bank a call came in for a bushfire in Santana, that’s a village near Maskall that’s quite a distance from here and quite a distance from Ladyville.  The call came in but at the same time they were dealing with the Lord’s Bank fire so as soon as the guys finished the Lord’s Bank fire they were dispatched to the area.  But, unfortunately, by the time that happened Ladyville police informed us that the fire was already out and unfortunately a house got burned in the process.”

While the cause is attributable to ignition from internal heat sources in remote areas and by discarded glass bottles strewn along main roads, in some cases the fires are deliberately set.

Benisford Matura

“When you do burning in the dry season it’s different than in the rainy season because a fire can easily get away from you and create large, become large bushfires where the department will have to get involved.”

The fire which eviscerated the abandoned, wooden structure is said to have been caused by neglect for the upkeep of the property.  Following an investigation, it was determined that the overgrown lot was the source.  Residents, on the other hand, are being discouraged from lighting or leaving fires unattended. Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.